Australia could be on the brink of establishing its first ‘blue zone’ – a region where people are known for their exceptionally long lives. According to renowned longevity expert Marcus Pearce, Australian retirement villages possess a unique opportunity to be awarded this status by offering older Australians an active and connected lifestyle, with similarities akin to established blue zones.
Speaking at the recent National Retirement Living Summit, Pearce shared his insights and experiences from visiting the five ‘blue zones’ across the world, emphasising the incredible potential for retirement villages to embody their lifestyle.
What is a Blue Zone?
The term ‘blue zone’ refers to regions around the world where people enjoy remarkable longevity, with many of their population living beyond 100. Their longevity is attributed to a lifestyle characterised by physical activity, low stress, rich social interactions, a whole-foods diet, and low rates of disease.
There are currently five recognised blue zones dotted across the world, and while they don’t eat the same foods, or even share cultures, the similarities of their lifestyle have been identified as a factor in the longevity of their populations.
- Okinawa, Japan;
- Icaria, Greece;
- Nuoro Province in Sardinia, Italy;
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica;
- Loma Linda, California.
The Vision for Australian Retirement Villages
“The next ‘blue zone’ – or the first Australian Blue Zone – is going to be a retirement village.” Pearce highlighted how retirement villages are ideally positioned to transition into the ‘blue zone’ benefits, by offering residents an optimal retirement lifestyle and enhancing their quality of life. “This industry can incorporate so many of the ‘blue zone’ benefits, which will lead to greater consumer confidence and an incredible quality of life for the duration of their stay,”
Praise for the Retirement Living Sector
Commending the efforts of the retirement living sector, Pearce said, “This has been the most inspiring conference I’ve attended. You guys absolutely love what you do, and that is evident with every conversation I’ve had with industry leaders.” He emphasised the importance of passion in one’s work as a key ‘nutrient’ for longevity. “Loving what you do and doing what you love is one of the most important ‘superfoods’ or nutrients for longevity,” he added.
A Call for Improved Perceptions of Ageing
Pearce shared his journey to becoming a longevity expert, critiquing the current perception of ageing in Australia as an “absolute joke.” He called for improved efforts in changing these perceptions, stating, “In order to change perceptions, we have to do better. We are all in this room doing a cracking job, an awesome job, an amazing job at helping people make their retirement years fabulous. But that doesn’t mean after we give ourselves a pat on the back, that it ends there. We must grow and improve.”
The Secret to Longevity
According to Pearce, there isn’t just one secret to longevity. Instead, it involves a combination of life purpose, physical activity, and social engagement. “You’ve got to have a compelling reason to get out of bed each day, you’ve got to be physically active, and you’ve got to be socially active. You can’t just have one or two of them,” he explained.
At St Ives, we like to shout about the incredible retirement lifestyle that’s on offer in our communities, as well as provide full transparency of our residents opinions. This is so those who are considering spending their golden years within our retirement villages have confidence in their decision.
But you don’t need to take our word for it.
The Retirement Living Council’s 2023 report, Better Housing for Better Health, supports Pearce’s views. Executive Director Daniel Gannon noted that retirement village residents are 41% happier, 15% more physically active, twice as likely to catch up with family and friends, five times more socially active, and experience reduced levels of loneliness and depression compared to non-residents. “A big part of this compelling health value proposition is built around constant human and social connection,” Gannon said.
Intelligent Eating and Social Connection
Pearce emphasised the importance of intelligent eating and social dining in enhancing mental health. “One of the greatest nutrients to improve your mental health is eating with others at the table,” he said. He also advised against eliminating enjoyable foods like coffee, wine, and chocolate. “You don’t have to try and reach this pinnacle, which is often driven by guilt because every centenarian that I ever met loves coffee, wine and chocolate.”
St Ives Retirement Living: Leading the Way
St Ives Retirement Living exemplifies the potential of creating a ‘blue zone’ community. Known for our state-of-the-art amenities and range of residential dwellings, we strive to offer a lifestyle that promotes happiness, health, and social engagement. The compassionate and caring staff at St Ives ensure that every resident receives the attention and care they deserve, contributing to an environment where longevity can thrive.
Read our latest blogs to learn more about life in St Ives and how to ensure you live your golden years to the fullest.